Published: by Wendie · 79 Comments
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New England Clam Chowder is thick and creamy and loaded withtender potatoes, sweet clams, and,smoky baconclassic comfort in every bite!
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Chilly winter weather means it is time to bring out all the soups and chowder recipes because it'ssoup season. If you want more thick, creamy, and rich recipes, you need to try myLoaded Potato Soupand thisSweetCorn Chowder.
Why this soup works
Thiscreamy New England Clam Chowderis wonderful on acold nightand even better thenext day. You'll love how simple thiseasy clam chowder recipeis and that it comes together in under an hour served with some crusty No Knead Artisan Bread or my Ciabatta Garlic Bread.
Ingredients needed
- Bacon: I like to use a thick smoky bacon.
- Clam juice:
- Celery Stalks: diced
- Onion: White or yellow.
- Garlic: Fresh minced is always best.
- Herbs and spices: Bay leaves, thyme,fresh parsley, salt andblack pepper.
- AllPurpose Flour: helps makethicker chowder.
- Dairy:heavy creamand whole milk or you can use half n half.
- Clams: use frozen clams or canned whole clams.
- Potatoes:red potatoes. But you could also userusset potatoesor Yukon golds.
How to make the best clam chowder recipe
- Step 1: Add diced bacon to alarge potand cook, remove to a paper towel to drain.
- Step 2: Add diced celery and onions to the pot with thebacon fatand cook until soft. Add minced garlic and cook.
- Step 3: Add flour to the pot, stir together and cook.
- Step 4: Addthe clam juice, water and stir.
- Step 5: Toss in diced potatoes,bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.
- Step 6: Pour in milk, cream andcans of clamsto the pot. Simmer until it's nice and thick.Salt and pepper to taste, add garnish, and serve.
Recipe Tips
- I like to use smoky thick-cut bacon.
- Make this ahead of time to give yourhomemade clam chowdermore time to meld the flavors.
- Next time, serve thiscreamy soupin abread bowlwithfresh chivesand alittle bitofhot saucefor a kick.
- Store leftovers in anairtight containerin the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
Recipe Faq's
Can I use canned clams?
Yes, I like to get the frozen clams but you can usecanned clams
if you prefer. You can substitute 2 cans of whole clams plus juice or 3 cans ofchopped clams
plus juice.
Can I use fresh clams?
Freshtender clams can be used in thiscreamy clam chowder recipe, but you'll need to steam them first.
What is the difference between New England clam chowder andRhode Island clam chowder?
New England Clam Chowder is known for its creamy and rich texture. It is made with a base of potatoes, onions, and clams, cooked in a combination ofclam juice and milk or cream. Rhode Island Clam Chowder is aclear broth-based soup. It is lighter in texture and flavor compared to its New England counterpart. InRhode Island Clam Chowder the clams are cooked in aclear broth made fromclam juice vegetables, and doesn't usually use tomatoes. It typically does not contain milk or cream either.
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More soup recipes
- Chicken Pot Pie Soup
- Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Soup
- Chicken Enchilada Soup
- Slow Cooker Bean and Bacon Soup
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Thick and Creamy New England Clam Chowder
Wendie
This Thick and Creamy New England Clam Chowder is full of flavor and loaded with tender potatoes, sweet clams, and smoky bacon.
4.46 from 221 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 50 minutes mins
Course Entrees
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 634 kcal
Ingredients
- 6 slices smoked bacon cut into pieces
- 3- 8 oz jars clam juice
- 3/4 cup water
- 3 celery stalks diced
- 1 small onion diced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 1/2 lb red potatoes about 4-5 peeled and diced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1-10 ounce pkg frozen clams or 3 cans whole clams
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
In a large heavy bottom pot cook bacon and remove to a paper towel
Discard all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat and add celery and onions and cook until softened about 5-6 minutes, add garlic cook another 30 seconds until fragrant.
Add flour to veggies and cook a couple of minutes using a whisk to stir.
Pour in clam juice and water, whisk until smooth. Add potatoes, bay leaf, and thyme and bring to a low boil and cook 15 minutes until potatoes are just getting tender
Add milk, cream, and clams simmer another 15 minutes until thickened
Sat and pepper to taste
Garnish with bacon pieces and fresh parsley.
Serve with oyster crackers or crusty bread.
Video
Notes
*note you can substitute the 3 cans of whole clams for 3 cans chopped clams plus juice
You can freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. Red potatoes hold up best while freezing, but they may become softer after freezing.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5cupsCalories: 634kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 35gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 21gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 169mgSodium: 637mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g
Keyword clam chowder, soup
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Reader Interactions
Comments
WendieIf using canned clams just put the clams in with the juice, there isn't that much juice in the cans.
- Bethy
I’m dying to try this, but I’m a little confused about the clams. You said it’s ok to use the canned chopped clams with the juice, so do you mean dump the entire can in, and then also still use the clam juice that’s listed in the ingredients? Or do you mean the canned clams with their juice, in place of the other clam juice? Thanks! 🥰
- Wendie
So happy you loved it Christine 🙂
- Christine
Yummy! Great recipe! - Susan Brown
The second ingredient is 3 jars (8 oz ea) of clam juice. I see it.
- Wendie
Clam juice is the second ingredient. I use 3 jars of clam juice, you can always hold back on that last jar of clam juice or water to see if it's thick enough for you.
- Denise
Planning to make this today but need some clarification...you indicated that clams don't have enough juice so you always add jarred clam juice, but I don't see clam juice in the ingredients list. Several commenters referenced 3 jars of juice, but I don't want the soup too thin. Can you clarify how much jarred clam juice to use for 3 cans of clams? TIA..can't wait to try this!
- Wendie
Woohoo Tom! So happy everybody loved it 🙂
- Karen
If you use fresh clams how many should you use, 1 dozen small clams?
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